Plushenko's wife demanded that Russian authorities publicly defend her husband who was relegated into second position by world champion Evan Lysacek despite the American's more conservative performance.

"This is a gross mistake by the judges," Plushenko's wife, Yana Rudkovskaya, told the Russia-24 television network. "We need to defend our sportsmen and protect their honour."

Hey maybe if the Russians put up a big stink over this like the Canadians in 2002, the IOC will award a double gold medal for the men like they did for WATB Sale/Pelletier? That's snark, I think....